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    Subterranean Coffee

    4.6 (29 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Sidewalk sign
    Emmett T.

    Subterranean Coffee has opened a location at the International Shops in the La Jolla Cove area. While there is ample foot traffic on the touristy Prospect St, the suite is recessed way in the back of the narrow corridor so access and visibility are limited. If it wasn't for a sidewalk sign indicating their presence, then I would not have known about the location. It's actually easier to reach the shop from the rear using an alleyway. The inside of the suite was tiny with five or six stools available at a high-top counter for seating. One more round-top table sat out in front. Three menu pages were taped to a window so you could see the offerings without entering. For such a small setup, the variety of choices was impressive. I picked the Strawberries & Cream acai bowl which was one of the four varieties. Organic acai was mixed with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, and frozen yogurt which was the cream component. All of the fruit was fresh, and the bowl's serving size was decent. The worker (owner?) was quite friendly. If you are a coffee aficionado, then come check out their products as there were over a couple of dozen selections of which many were sweet.

    Cortado and Pumpkin Loaf
    Jack M.

    Hello Subterranean Coffee Shop La Jolla! After a successful run in North Park for many years, Subterranean Coffee has opened a small shop in La Jolla at the International Shops. I stopped in for a cortado and some conversation, but I also landed a bonus because Subterranean's local artisan baker arrived and delivered freshly baked goods. On of those goods was a delicious pumpkin loaf, so I just had to have a slice. The cortado was very well done and quite delicious. It was also also a little larger than most. The pumpkin bread slice was amazing. It had a great pumpkin flavor and was super soft and moist. The little coffee shop offers some inside seating and a pleasant little shaded patio out front. Gene, the owner is super down to earth and appreciates those old vinyl records. You got love a person who appreciates those old school records.

    clockwise from top left: Subterranean Bowl (acai), Latte, and Brie Toast.
    Nancy I.

    Hard to find. But once you find it, there are some great vibes from the curated music to the chic wallpaper. Little decor touches like the record player and black stand-up bass hanging from the ceiling are sure to draw you in so that you can either sit outside in the cute little arcade (architectural term not video game house) or inside with the live edge counter. The personable staff is sure to make your order with care. There are a lot of smoothie options and baked goods in both GF and standard varieties. The coffee was okay, but what I found notable was the quality of the Lox. Really, the Lox are a level up and perhaps the best thing there (and I tried several items). The acai and pitaya bowls were both beautiful with rows of fruit carefully placed on top of the frozen layer. Word of warning, Apple Maps will take you to the alley behind. Instead, plan to take a few passes up and down Prospect before finding a parking space a few blocks away. You will pass other coffee places, one in the same block, and while the people watching directly on Prospect might be better, there is something to be said for walking through little arcades of shops to make it to a hidden cafe where the people care and play good music.

    Keila P.

    Really unique coffee selection. We got the white blackberry mocha and it was great! Good flavor pairings, lovely customer service, and staff was eager to assist. They had a chess table inside and we took a moment to play for a little bit. It is a smaller spot, so it is more of a grab and stroll in la Jolla. Service was quick. Thank you!

    Lox bagel
    Joy E.

    After walking the beautiful La Jolla Coast Trail and conquering the many steps in Sunny Jim's sea cave, we decided to check out this local coffee shop/cafe which was a short walk from the Cave Store. We were immediately welcomed by a nice gentleman (maybe the owner?) who was super friendly and quickly took our order. Place was clean and cozy (heater was toasty!) with a super cool vibe. We ordered a lox bagel, an acai bowl and a Laura Palmer. I enjoyed the acai bowl the most - I would come back just for that alone! Oh yeah... and he gave us a free ube cookie to sample! YUMMMM!! Service was great, food was delicious and the friendly neighborhood cafe vibe was on point. When in the area, will definitely be back! *Sorry, I didn't ask for your name but if you're in the Mira Mesa area and wanting that Filipino sisig, don't forget to try R&B!

    Melissa B.

    This is a cute little smoothie shack in South Park! I got the pitaya bowl and it was huge and very filling. Tons of peanut butter on top and it was fast and easy service. Some outdoor seating available for when the weather is nice. No indoors or outlets if you're trying to work but a good place to stop for a bite!

    Janet E.

    Definitely check this place out!! Serious good coffee - like next level coffee. I ordered a simple iced vanilla coffee mostly to wake up but I loved it from first sip. The shop is adorable as well. I was sad that I didn't have time to post up for a few hours. The friendly owner, Gene, explained the brew process of this Colombian flavor. Such a rich, smooth flavor. Skip Starbucks if you're in the area. Go local!!!

    Breakfast Sandwich + White Strawberry Mocha

    I ordered the iced white mocha strawberry latte and breakfast sandwich. Service was fast and food is yummy-- good portions for the price :-)!

    Bree B.

    Loved Subterranean Coffee! The aesthetics were great, absolutely loved their coffee, and their food so yummmm! Make sure to try their acai bowls. Best I've had! Service was also incredible will definitely go again!

    Sipping our hot lattes while walking around La Jolla!
    Lesley M.

    I'm giving this a five star review because the guy that helped us that day in that cute little coffee shop was really sweet and gave us a lot of recommendations of places to go to. We didn't get his name, but I just wanted to say thank you!!! And for the actual review of the place, the drink that I got was honey lavender latte (hot). I honestly don't remember the exact name of the drink, but it has lavender flavor and it was good! I definitely recommend this place! Check it out if you're in La Jolla Village!

    Great food and premium blended coffees and vegan options . Hidden gem , off of Prospect Ave , at the end of a long, narrow and very beautiful European style patio. Turn into patio between Blue and Lobster West off of Prospect, then continue to the back of the patio. It is behind La Vita Dolce Restaurant. It is the same friendly owner as the north park subterranean. Give them a try!!!

    Veggie Bagel, cream cheese,avocado, tomatoes, onion.Owner Gene added red pepper hummus, too!  ( note to self for next time )

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    1 year ago

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    Gene P.

    Your soo nice! Thank you!

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    2 months ago

    Was so amazing, the vibes are great, owner is so kind and nice to talk to! Great menu items and coffee is so yummy! 100% recommend!!!

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    1 year ago

    Exellent drink... excellent service from aliyssa. This is a small quaint shop.. will defintely come here again

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    Gene P.

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    3 years ago

    Love their coffee, açaí, and smoothies! My go to is a brown sugar latte and citrus spinach smoothie

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    3 years ago

    Coffee is delicious. Siamese basil smoothie is on another level. Will definitely be coming back to check more of the menu out.

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    3 years ago

    Friendly service and great cortado. Definitely one of the better coffee shops in La Jolla. Worth a visit.

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    3 years ago

    Great location, even better açaí bowls! Very friendly staff! My go to coffee shop when in La Jolla!

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    Pappalecco

    4.3(3.1k reviews)
    10.7 mi•Little Italy
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    Absolutely amazing! That was the first thought that came to mind after my first bite of the…read morecroissant and my first spoonful of gelato. Alex helped me choose my gelato flavors, and she was so patient, friendly, and kind. There were so many different gelato and sorbet flavors to choose from that it was honestly hard to pick! The moment I tasted them, I felt like I was back in Italy. The flavors were rich, layered, and complex--you could actually taste the different ingredients, rather than just tasting sugar like you sometimes do at other places. Everything was so delicious and thoughtfully made. Definitely a place I'd love to come back to!

    A cute authentic Italian neighborhood cafe in Little Italy serving coffee, treats, gelato, and…read morepaninis. My friends and I were just looking to get a coffee in Little Italy, but when we walked in and saw all the delicious treats we had to try something else as well. I ordered a latte and neglected to tell them it was for here so I was given a paper cup, but they give real cups if you ask. The latte was good, and my friend bought a kitchen sink type cookie with chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts. It was warm and gooey good! Another friend tried the gelato and said it was very good. There are a few tables inside and tables out in front outside. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful San Diego weather. The decor and tables definitely gives you an old school Italian neighborhood vibe with Italian markets right next door. If I am in the neighborhood again, I would definitely come back here to try the gelato and/or a piece of an excellent looking lemon pie bar I spotted.

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    Pappalecco - Inside

    Inside

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    Pappalecco - Gelato alla menta con gocce di cioccolato, Gelato al cocco con gocce di cioccolato

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    Extraordinary Desserts - Road trip with the girls. Gorgeous stuff here.

    Extraordinary Desserts

    4.0(9.3k reviews)
    10.8 mi•Little Italy
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    This place is properly named extraordinary dessert for a reason. They are known for their desserts…read moreboth in taste and in aesthetics. Desserts: 5/5 We got a blood orange scone and a strawberry danish. The scone was warm and delicious. The orange essence was well infused. The danish was crispy and creamy. Everything was so picturesque. Food: 3/5 Unfortunately, the food was not the best. We got the smoked salmon sandwich which was not very flavorful. The salmon was also slimy. The pesto spread was good though. It was creamy and the artisan bread it was served had great variety. Ambiance: 5/5 This place is such super cute. When you walk in, the desserts all look super appetizing. The seating areas are super cute and the floral decor are stunning. Service: 5/5 It is an order then sit down establishment. There is great attention to their dessert. I saw them heat up a knife just to cleanly cut the cake. The food service however did take some time to come out.

    One of the absolute best Cake / Dessert cafe in San Diego hands down. Over the last couple of years…read moreI've always enjoyed the same cake The Ivoiry Royal with Raspberry and Vanilla Bean sauce that are a perfect complement to this cake ... Ok I can't stop praising this cake . My disappointment was : On this Sunday we made the trip Downtown from Eastlake and they had the cake in the display I was a happy camper TILL THEY SAID ONLY THE WHOLE CAKE IS FOR SALE WHEN I ASKED FOR A SLICE !!! Extremely Disappointed Settled for a Shangri-La slice only to regret it. It was good but it's no Ivoire Royal .

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    Spinach dip and chips and tomato and basil soup

    Extraordinary Desserts - One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

    One of our 'go to' dessert places in San Diego.

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    Chocolate SD - Gelato

    Chocolate SD

    3.8(1.8k reviews)
    11.5 mi•Gaslamp
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    Simply delicious coffee!…read more It's always a relief when you find a hidden gem. This establishment was so cute they even had cows hanging upside down! Such a fun and unique atmosphere. They also sell gelato, although we didn't get a chance to try it this time. The service was great, and the cashier was very helpful and friendly. I ordered an iced vanilla latte, and it was perfect. They also offer a great selection of coffee from Hawaii. The place was clean, welcoming, and had a very friendly vibe. Next time, I'll definitely have to indulge in some desserts! ts.

    This is a cute breakfast and dessert cafe that's actually open till midnight (or later on the…read moreweekends). The decor and setting is cute and quirky, including cow sculptures hanging upside down from the ceiling. There were only a couple other visitors when we arrived, as it was near opening time. Our dishes took a whopping 35 minutes to be ready, and service was not very friendly nor helpful. Luckily, the music playing through the speakers added a nice vibe to the place, songs like Our House by Madness and Can't Fight This Feeling. We ordered the brunch pizza (with eggs cooked overeasy) and the breakfast flatbread which looked almost identical when served, as well as an iced mocha. The quality of the pizza was pretty average, and the eggs were slightly overcooked. The drink was really good, made fresh, with a smooth taste and a nice sweetness to it, the plastic cup coated in chocolate sauce. It tasted more like chocolate milk with a hint of coffee, which I personally enjoyed. They typically serve gelato here, but it would not be ready till almost two hours after opening time. So no milkshakes or cold desserts were available in the morning this past Sunday (no worries, Ghirardelli is just a block away). I appreciate the variety of menu items offered here. But they really should communicate online that their gelato's not ready till two hours into the day. If there's one thing that irks me about an establishment, it's failure to communicate appropriately. Even though our recent visit was somewhat disappointing, I still gave 3 stars, assuming this was an off day for them.

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    Chocolate SD
    Chocolate SD - A pop of zest!

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    Extraordinary Desserts - Dame Chocolate

    Extraordinary Desserts

    3.8(3.9k reviews)
    10.1 mi•Banker's Hill
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    This is a rare 5 star review from me! A local restaurant that is far enough away from the tourist…read moreareas or downtown that you want to go for a nice sit down without a long wait or huge menu. The most impressive thing is the works of art that are deserts in the showcase. Knowing that the draw is the sweets I was pleasantly surprised that they have food, beer and wine to set up a nice full meal. Our order was so complete that we had to take home th desert that we camefor in togo boxes. if you are a soup or tomato love I highly suggest getting there cup of tomatoes soup and salad. my eyes popped out of my head when they brought me salad that seemed big enough for two people. With a side of smoked salmon I couldn't fit everything in. My partner had a sandwich that was bigger than the size of her head and a crazy nice strawberry spritzer. The cheesecake smob that I am I took home something that I took a a chance on because I am trying not to be a creature of habits. A lemon strudel cheesecake out of the refrigerator the next day is probably better freshly made. When I go back I will defiantly make space for everything. This is a hidden gem that I hope stays local and a tour bus dosen't stop at the front door.

    The desserts at both locations are indeed extraordinary. Every dessert is lush and decadent and…read moredefinitely a treat. This location is much smaller than the other and just as popular so it can feel hectic when busy. Highly recommend the Le Bette Noir, Black Velvet and The Viking cakes. You can't go wrong with anything you try here!

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    Extraordinary Desserts - La Bete Noir, Dame Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookie

    La Bete Noir, Dame Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookie

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    Milk & Cookies - Neon sign inside the suite

    Milk & Cookies

    4.2(80 reviews)
    11.7 mi•East Village
    Outdoor seating
    Kid friendly

    We loved the cookie and scoop combo here ($6.50). We sampled a few flavors and settled for the…read morebrown butter toffee with the cookies and cream cookie. It was such a sweet treat and makes me super tempted to come back again for this visit! The Royal Hawaiian cookie is calling out to me! The shop was clean and nice, not much seating though. The service was pleasant while we sampled and the portions were generous.

    Hiya B.UM.S., If you…read moreever find yourself wandering through Downtown San Diego with a sudden craving for fresh cookies or ice cream, I have a place you simply need to check out: Milk & Cookies. We stopped by recently and got incredibly lucky--there was no line in sight, so we walked right up to order! The Cookies: Gooey, Crisp, & Perfectly Balanced My wife decided to try a trio of cookies, picking out Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter Reese's, and classic Chocolate Chip. They completely nailed the texture. Every single cookie hit that golden sweet spot--warm and gooey in the middle with just the right amount of crisp edge. What really stood out was the balance of ingredients. Chocolate Chip: Perfectly measured so you get sweet chocolate in every bite without feeling overwhelmed by chips. Peanut Butter Reese's: An absolute dream ratio of rich peanut butter to chocolate peanut butter cups. Snickerdoodle: Perfectly spiced, striking just the right "snicker-to-doodle" balance! Of course, we couldn't leave without trying the ice cream. I ordered a combination of Cookie Monster and Campfire in a single scoop. The portion size was remarkably generous--it completely filled up the small cup and delivered a fantastic mix of flavors. My wife went with a scoop combining Espresso Oreo and Mint & Chip, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, these were easily some of the best desserts we've had in a very long time. Whether you're a local or just exploring the downtown area, Milk & Cookies is well worth a visit.

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    Milk & Cookies - Cookies & Cream (Jumbo)

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    Subterranean Coffee - acaibowls - Updated September 2026

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